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USL Charlotte Independence

Independence Drops Home Opener to Louisville in Final Seconds

March 26, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Independence fell to Louisville City FC 1-0 on the night of their 2016 home opener, a wet and rainy match at Ramblewood Stadium. The Independence held Louisville scoreless until the 91st minute, when a penalty called against the Independence led to a free kick goal into the upper left corner by Louisville's Cameron Lancaster.

The first half was back and forth as both sides posed a threat on the offensive attack. Louisville's Mark-Anthony Kaye totaled three shots while George Davis IV and Andrew Lubahn each tallied one. Five Independence players were recorded for shots in the first half, including: Patrick Slogic, Caleb Calvert, Lewis Hilton, Enzo Martinez and Henry Kalungi. The Independence nearly broke down the Louisville defense in the 45th minute, when Martinez took advantage of the slick surface, sending a cross - low and with pace - to the feet of Calvert, who sent the shot soaring over the crossbar. "I thought we did pretty good after the first fifteen minutes, shutting them down and not giving them many chances," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. Independence goalkeeper Cody Mizell's one save, along with the Independence back line's solid defense, kept the team in the game up to halftime.

In the second half, the Independence recorded a total of seven shots, three of them on goal in response to Louisville's explosive 18 shots, five on goal. "I felt like the second half we pushed the game a little bit, we had a little bit of half chances and chances, but just not quite enough," said Jeffries. Both goalkeepers made several tough saves, including Louisville's Scott Goodwin's penalty save in the 75th minute, earning the Wells Fargo Save of the Game.

In the trailing minutes, the Independence defense could begin to feel the pressure. "We thought we had the win when we had the PK," said Independence defender Patrick Slogic. "I think after that we were just trying to hold on for the tie." They held on for a while, but not long enough as a penalty in the 91st minute led Lancaster's free kick. "It was an out of the normal type of play, just surprised us," said Slogic. "It's just something we'll have to make sure we're sharp in the rest of the games for the whole 90 minutes, not just until the last minute."

The Independence will be reevaluating their offense in the upcoming days in hopes of creating more looks at goal. "We will obviously work on plays in the final third," said Jeffries. "It's tough when you don't score a goal at home and so forth. It's tough especially when you have good chances."

The Independence will be back in action next Saturday, April 2, for their second-straight home game of the season. The team will face the Harrisburg City Islanders, who dropped their 2016 opener to the Richmond Kickers 3-1. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm at Ramblewood Stadium.

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